[casi-analysis] Soros report: The Legacy of Iraq

From: Daniel O'Huiginn <do227@DELETETHIShermes.cam.ac.uk>

Subject: [casi-analysis] Soros report: The Legacy of Iraq

Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 04:25:44 +0000 (GMT)

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Hi all,
Soros' Open Society Institute and the UN Foundation have just put out a
new report on Iraq
-
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/washington/articles_publications/publications/iraq_20041112/iraq_Transition.pdf
I've not looked at it properly yet, but judging by sheer bulk (~140 pages)
it looks like it's going to be a useful summary of developments over the
past 18 months.
OSI press release below.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 16:56:07 -0500
From: Sarah Miller-Davenport <sdavenport@sorosny.org>
To: "LIST: IRAQREVENUEWATCH" <iraqrevenuewatch@mailhost.soros.org>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sarah Miller-Davenport, OSI, 212-548-0378
Sudie Nolan, OSI-DC Office, 202-721-5600
The Legacy of Iraq
A new report examines the U.S./U.K. occupation and reconstruction of Iraq and what it means for the
future
WASHINGTON, November 16, 2004-With the future of Iraq uncertain, a new report produced jointly by
the Open Society Institute (OSI) and the United Nations Foundation aims to provide legislators and
those involved in post-conflict reconstruction efforts with strategies for rebuilding Iraq. The
report, Iraq in Transition: Post-Conflict Challenges and Opportunities, discusses the laws
governing occupation, examines the challenges in reconstructing Iraq, and provides benchmarks in
the key areas of security, governance, economics, social services and justice, so that the
international community can measure Iraq's progress toward a more free and open society.
These benchmarks include:
* Establishing an independent Iraqi security force
* Providing dedicated UN security to permit greater UN presence in Iraq
* Holding certifiably free and fair elections and drafting a permanent constitution
* Creating mechanisms for transparent and open management of Iraq's finances and
revenues
* Accelerating the disbursement of pledged international aid, and achieving
substantial debt reduction for Iraq
* Expanding Iraqi job opportunities in both public and private sectors
Although it will be years before the world can fully assess the consequences of the U.S. and U.K's
post-conflict reconstruction of Iraq, Iraq in Transition serves as a resource guide that begins to
analyze the social, political and economic effects of the occupation on the evolving Iraqi state.
"During occupation, the Coalition forces faced immense responsibilities and challenges," said
Morton H. Halperin of the Open Society Institute in Washington. "Some errors and omissions were
inevitable, but many of the mistakes were the result of ignoring the advice of those who knew Iraq
best."
A main legacy of the occupation is an unstable security environment in Iraq, due in part to
inadequate planning, poor on-the-ground diplomacy and insufficient troop levels during the
post-conflict period. In the four months since the Coalition handed over political power to an
interim Iraqi government, widespread violence and insurgent attacks have escalated. Efforts to
rebuild Iraq are proceeding, but at a much slower pace than originally envisioned, as contractors
are kidnapped and killed and newly restored installations are sabotaged.
Iraq in Transition demonstrates that security issues, both during and beyond occupation, have
dramatically affected Iraq's ability to establish self-governance and move forward with other
aspects of reconstruction. Security concerns continue to plague preparations for the upcoming
elections in Iraq, scheduled for January 2005.
Iraq in Transition also addresses the troubling economic legacy left by the occupation forces. On a
rushed timeline just before the end of the occupation and with little Iraqi involvement, the
Coalition Provisional Authority, which governed Iraq during occupation, committed billions of
dollars to projects the Iraqi interim government is now obligated to carry out. Further hampering
its economic recovery, Iraq's electric and oil output are lower now than prior to the overthrow of
Saddam Hussein, and, despite massive international pledges for financial assistance, Iraq still
faces unsustainable debt.
Iraq in Transition follows Reconstructing Iraq: A Guide to the Issues, a report produced last year
by the Open Society Institute and the United Nations Foundation. Both reports are available on the
Open Society Institute's website: www.osi-dc.org.
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